Widening Tosa Village Streets Not Necessary, Some Business Owners Say

Kirsten Termuehlen, owner of French Country & Designs, LLC on Underwood Avenue, believes the walkability of the Tosa Village neighborhood is part of its uniqueness and is important to the success of a unique business like hers.

“This neighborhood is an observable destination,” she said. “Right now you can come here and enjoy things like the architecture, European style light posts, partial stone walls, or the plants and flowers. You won't see any of that beauty with two-way traffic flying by.”

In January, the city hired Ayres & Associates, a professional engineering firm, to access the geometric feasibility of widening Harwood Avenue and Underwood Avenue to accommodate two-way traffic. Based on the report, city staff will recommend any action to the Common Council. If the plan is adopted funding will then be budgeted.

More traffic, more problems

Wauwatosa’s economic prosperity has brought with it increased automobile traffic, making it a challenge to find convenient parking in the Village, or to cross the street where State Street intersects with Underwood and Harwood Avenues. According to the Medical College of Wisconsin, on Watertown Plank Road to the west of the village, there are 1.6 million patient visits annually. Increased traffic due to the rising economic prosperity from area businesses as well as businesses in the village caused the City of Wauwatosa to develop a plan two years ago. 

The Common Council commissioned RDG Planning and Design of Omaha to develop a strategic plan that would offer solutions to problems with way finding (making it easier for people to find their destination), pedestrian safety, traffic flow, economic development and aesthetics. The Strategic Development Plan was adopted by the Common Council July 5, 2011.

One problem the plan addressed is confusion first-timers endured due to the complex street system in the village. That sometimes led to patrons never finding their desired destination. One solution offered in the Strategic Development Plan was to widen Harwood and Underwood so it could accommodate two-way traffic and allow for more on-street parking. The plan also addressed concerns about insufficient signage and suggested making improvement to street signs so they were legible from various eye levels.

Design is part of the charm

However, not everyone is convinced. One business owner thinks changing Harwood and Underwood to accommodate two-way traffic is the wrong move for the historic village and that better signage would fix the problem. Christopher Stephens of Magpie on Harwood Avenue said people not familiar with the neighborhood often drive down the one-way street in front of his business the wrong way.

“The current signage is insufficient, because you see different things depending on if you’re walking down the street, riding a bike or driving a car,” he said. "Proper signage would fix the problem.”

Patsy Theobald of Ottawa, WI said the first time she came to the village she was a bit lost, but that sufficient signage to orient her would have cured the problem.

“You just can’t sacrifice the feel of this neighborhood to make it more convenient for access to its shops,” she said. “The charm of this place is because of its current design.”